Our governance structure consists of Non-Executive Directors (independent and appointed), Executive Directors, a volunteer Company Secretary and Honorary Life Governors. Honorary Life Governors are individuals who have made an exceptional and outstanding contribution to the NSRI over a number of years.
We strive to achieve transparency, accountability, integrity and ethical leadership as well as provide practical guidance regarding the sustainable development of the NSRI and all its activities.
An overview of our organisation, its history and people.
Johnny is a Mining Engineer, and he has a broad and varied experience in the mining industry. He has worked for several well-known companies, including De Beers, AngloGold Ashanti, BHP Billiton and Gem Diamonds. During his career Johnny has been exposed to many different environments having either lived or worked extensively across the African continent, Canada, Chile and Australia. Johnny has filled operational, executive and Board roles across multiple commodities such as Diamonds, Gold, Iron Ore, Copper and Cobalt. Johnny is now the CEO of a company focussed on providing key raw materials for the electric vehicle battery market. Over and above this Johnny is currently serving as a non-Executive director on the Boards of DRA Global and Zanaga Iron Ore Company.
Cleeve is a specialist in emergency and maritime medicine, and was medical advisor to the NSRI from the mid-90s until his appointment as CEO in 2013.
Jill Fortuin qualified as a surf lifeguard in 1993. In addition to her passion and commitment to Drowning Prevention through her involvement in lifesaving she also has a doctoral degree, been involved in academia and research related to health systems and digital health for the past twenty years.
Mark has a long history with Sea Rescue, joining Station 19 (Richards Bay) as a crew member in 1978, where he served as station commander for a number of years. He has been recognised for his service to the community and specialised in automation and electronics during his career.
During her career, Janine has been involved in change strategy, marketing, advertising, communications and customer relationship management for a number of South African and overseas corporates.
Brett joined the NSRI in 2000, serving as a volunteer through the ranks in Durban before joining head office in 2014. He has a background in operations management and training, with extensive marine experience as a surveyor, dive industry professional and commercial skipper. He holds a BSC(Hons) Degree in Geology and an MBA.
Clifford joined the NSRI 29 years ago, and has served at Station 5 (Durban) as Crewman, Coxswain and Station Commander. Clifford is a registered Professional Engineer and a Director in his Consulting Engineering company.
Chris is the Managing Director of Kilgetty Statutory Services and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of South Africa. He oversees the biannual board evaluation for Sea Rescue among his other contributions to the organisation
Radha has extensive experience and knowledge of the South African health sector, managed health care and clinical policy development. Her strength lies in her ability to galvanise clinical and management teams to meet set goals.
Born in Johannesburg and proudly schooled at King Edward VII in Houghton. James Beaumont studied at University of Cape Town (UCT) and articled at KPMG. He also has an MBA at UCT (Cum Laude) and was awarded the Old Mutual Scholar for academic achievement and was an overall gold medallist. He received National colours for rowing and Provincial colours for sailing (offshore keel boat racing). I am an active mountain and road cyclist. I am an active participant in Sport and GT and single seater motor racing where I race an historical Ford GT40 and a Reynard Formula 3 single seater (current regional class A champion). I own and race both offshore keelboats as well as inshore keel boats. He has spent a large part of his life at sea in both power and sail boats and has a commercial unlimited SAMSA (A) ticket for power and sail. He is deeply passionate about saving lives at sea and this has driven him to join the NSRI in the early 2000s and has been a class 1 coxswain for about 20 years. He was also involved in the founding of the Air rescue unit and was active in that unit for many years as a rescue swimmer and rescue officer.
Grant started surfing and lifesaving at the age of 9, developing a passion for the ocean which has translated into a maritime career spanning over 36 years. After serving as a senior sea going officer in the South African Navy, Grant transitioned to the Merchant Navy, where he sailed as Master for over 13 years. His experience includes tankers, container vessels, towing, anchor handling and salvage. His last command was as Master on the Singapore Navy's Submarine Search and Rescue vessel. Grant holds a Master of Commerce degree, professional qualifications from the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and an executive course from GIBS business school. He currently holds the position of Vice President for HSSEQ as well as Aviation and Marine Technical for a multinational downstream oil company. Grant serves on the MANCO, a number of boards and as well as the IBIA Africa board. When not serving proudly as a coxswain with Station 16, he can be found sailing or riding his motorcycle.
Pretty Molefe (34) Holds a National Diploma in Maritime Studies and is a qualified Master Mariner. Pretty has been in the Maritime Industry for 15 years with operational experience as a seafarer, SAMSA Ship Surveyor and Deputy Principal Officer. She is currently appointed in a role of Head of Sea Watch and Response within the South African Maritime Safety Authority.
Lindani Mchunu was born in Claremont Township in Durban, his journey is one that began in Kwa - Zulu Natal and ultimately landed him in Cape Town as the Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC) Academy manager. His primary role being creating a bridge for under privileged youth of the Cape Flats, into the sailing and boat building world of the Western Cape. It took him to, ABROMOWITZ, SHARP & ASSOCIATES (Pty) Ltd Yacht Brokers, the sole distributor of Princess Yachts on the African Continent. He was the first and only Black Associate of a Yacht Brokerage on the Continent and hopefully not the last but the first of many to follow. He has Yacht Master Offshore qualification, he now works at the V&A Waterfront, as the Marine manager. Managing the harbour precinct of the V&A, from Super Yachts, charter vessels and traditional fishing vessels. This journey has taken him from South Africa to the World and back again, it has taken him from Land to Water and back to Land again.
Kelly Fourie joined the NSRI in 2019, and has served at Station 15 (Mossel Bay) since. She is currently serving as the station's first female Deputy Station Commander. Kelly is an admitted and practicing attorney and conveyancer specialising in commercial, fiduciary, and real estate law. She is also a member of the Fiduciary Institute of South Africa, has served on the board of the Mossel Bay Business Chamber since 2018 and has recently joined the governing body of another local NPO. Kelly is passionate about leadership, excellence, and the service of others; and she has dedicated her life to these pursuits.
Bernard Schäfer’s dynamic mix of financial and big corporate history combined with his intelligence background and specialised security services knowledge as well as his international experience in general management, risk management, strategy and project management consulting, equipped him with a range of skills which he put to good use in helping to revolutionise the fight against crime in the Western Cape by developing key partnerships and creating various structures and entities that embraced and pioneered latest technologies and services to augment the state’s offering and capabilities. Bernard’s meticulous attention to detail whilst having the ability to think beyond the given confines, coupled with his innovative personality, have earned him a reputation of being an astute problem-solver and achiever in any industry. Bernard is also currently in his 18th year of service to NSRI Station 2 Bakoven.
Board effectiveness evaluations are conducted biannually, the scope of which includes an evaluation of the NSRI Board of Directors collectively and a peer-to-peer review of each individual Board member. A detailed report is compiled on the outcomes of the evaluations, with recommendations highlighted for consideration.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is delighted to announce its remarkable achievement of securing second place in this year’s International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) Awards - Innovation and Technology category for its ground-breaking Beach Safety Camera Network Project.
An NSRI study on fatal drownings in South Africa, published last year, was recently recognised at the annual Prism Awards, Africa's most sought-after public relations and communication awards.
On Friday 21 July, the NSRI celebrated its 56th Annual Awards Evening and AGM at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. We celebrated our dedicated volunteers and other individuals who risk their lives to save the lives of others on South African waters.
On Friday 21 July, the NSRI celebrated its 56th Annual Awards Evening and AGM at the V&A Waterfront - Cape Town. We celebrated our dedicated volunteers and other individuals who risk their lives to save the lives of others on South African waters.
We all want our children to not be afraid of water and to learn to swim early, not only for their safety but also for their enjoyment. However, not everyone can afford swimming lessons. And access to safe, clean water to learn to swim in is a real challenge, especially in the underprivileged parts of South Africa.
We chatted to NSRI Awards Committee chairperson Carmen Long about the 55th annual ceremony, which highlighted some amazing feats of bravery.
